There was bands, beer and banter as the 10th anniversary of Electric Picnic kicked off yesterday.

Thousands of music fans made their way to Stradbally, Co Laois to the sold out event as the party kicked off.

Among the crowd was TV babe Laura Whitmore who made an appearance to support new boyfriend Miles Kane.

Laura Whitmore was at EP

Laura, 28, from Co Wicklow who is normally spotted working with MTV on such occasions made the trek from her home in London to be with her new man.

The blonde beauty looked festival fit in a mini skirt and fringe boots as she cheered on her new boyfriend with pals.

Although she’s yet to confirm her new romance Laura, was snapped hand in hand with the The Last Shadow Puppets star in London earlier this week.

Laura seems to have a penchant for rockers and last year split with Danny O’Reilly from The Coronas.

It is rumoured Laura and Miles have been dating for a few weeks.

The Don’t Forget Who You Are singer, 27, kicked off the weekend’s festivities with a stellar performance on the Main Stage.

Some 35,000 music fans are due to attend this year, the first EP sell out since the recession.

Miles Kane

Danielle O’Reilly from Co Wicklow said: “I’m so excited for the Picnic this year.

“It feels extra special because it’s sold out and it was a scramble to get a ticket. I feel really lucky to be here.”

This year marks the 10th Electric Picnic, a milestone that was celebrated last night.

Everyone at the music festival this weekend will receive a birthday cake, and 10 people will have the chance to win tickets to the festival for the next decade.

Fatboy Slim’s Norman Cook brought some nostalgia to Stradbally with his dance set while other highlights last included the return of Irish indie heroes My Bloody Valentine.

Arguably the loudest band in the world, Kevin Shields and co hit the high notes with fans and drew one of the biggest crowds airing their new album MBV for the first time in Irish soil.

Instead of the usual mud-fest festival-goers only had to deal with a scattered showers yesterday and it is expected to stay dry for the weekend, according to Met Éireann forecaster Eoin Sherlock.

Organiser Melvin Benn joined 1000 cyclists for the Tour de Picnic – an 80km cycle that started from Dublin’s CityWest Hotel at 7am – to raise funds for the “Thank You Crumlin, Love Mia” and LauraLynn charities.